In order to work safely, your workers need to be awake and alert. Are they? One condition that may cause your workers to be tired on the job is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that CFS “results in a substantial reduction in occupational (work-related), personal, social, or educational activities.” [emphasis added]
Because this illness can result in severe and debilitating exhaustion, it may be worth a brief wellness training session to, well, "brief" your employees on this condition. First, give workers this list of additional CFS symptoms as described by the CDC:
- Impaired memory or concentration
- Extreme, prolonged exhaustion following physical or mental activity
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Muscle pain
- Multijoint pain
- Headaches of a new type
- Sore throat
- Tender lymph nodes
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Encourage your workers to see their medical professional if they are experiencing one or more of these symptoms on a chronic basis, which is defined as six months or more. Also, instruct them to take these steps to manage CFS on the job:
- Work with their doctor on a treatment plan that alleviates their CFS symptoms.
- Talk with their supervisor about possible alternate ways to get the job done.
- Pace themselves. CFS patients cannot endure regular cardiovascular exercise routines but must still remain active at moderate levels.
- Join a CFS support group. Check with their health provider or visit www.cdc.gov/cfs for local groups and more information.
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Give your workers the safety and health information they need to help them stay safe and healthy and able to work at peak performance.
Why It Matters
- There is no known cause for CFS currently.
- There is also no known cure.
- That’s why it’s important for workers to be educated about the need for seeking medical advice from a team of professionals to help alleviate and ultimately, end the chronic symptoms of CFS, so they can return to productive lives at work and at home.